Intermittent actuating device for dispensers



Jan. 12, 1965 G. G. WILEY 3,155,238

INTERMITTENT ACTUATING DEVICE FOR DISPENSERS Filed Feb. 19, 1962 3SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR Gaston G. Wiley BY ATTORN EYS Jan. 12, 1965 ca.G. WILEY 3,165,238

INTERMITTENT ACTUATING DEVICE FOR DISPENSERS Filed Feb. 19, 1962 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Jan. 12, 1965 G. G. wuv 3,165,238

INTERMITTENT ACTUATING DEVICE FOR DISPENSERS Filed Feb. 19, 1962 3Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 6

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent C) 3,165,238 INTERMITTENTACTUATING DEVICE FOR DISPENSERS Gaston G. Wiiey, Dover, N.J., assignorto Heller Timer Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 19,1962, Ser. No. 174,093 Claims; (Cl. 2227t This invention relates to anintermittent actuating device of the type adapted to actuate a valve atpredetermined time intervals. More particularly, it relates to anintermittent actuating device, having independent motive power means,which is attachable to aerosol packages and further has actuating meansdesigned to actuate the valve actuator on aerosol packagesintermittently during extended time periods.

Many ofthe fluids presently being marketed in aerosol packages, such asmedicated room Vaporizers, air sanitizers, pesticides and the like, lendthemselves to intermittent dispensation in small amounts over anextended period of time. Heretofore it has been proposed to provide anattachable actuating device designed to actuate the valve of an aerosolpackage at predetermined time intervals. Since such as actuating devicemust be capable of operation of periods of say, 8 hours, during whichtime.

it must maintain suificient potential energy to displace the valveactuator of the aerosol package in either a horizontal or verticaldirection as the case may be, the devices developed up to this time haveincluded an electric motor of the type adapted to receive power from anexternal electric power source. Of course, such electrically powereddevices always maintain sufiicient energy to actuate the valveactuatoras well as to operate for unlimited periods of time. Thesedevices had decided disadvantages in that they were'expensive tomanufacture as well as to operate; further, they always required anexternal electrical source thereby seriously detracting from theportable and self-sufi'icient features inherent in aerosol packages.

I have' found that by providing an actuating device, containing anindependent source of motive power, which is capable of operating forextended periods of time during which it is able to provide sufiicientenergy to actuate the valve actuator on an aerosol package to which itis attached, a much improved fluid dispensing device is realized.

Broadly stated the intermittent actuating device is an improvement inaerosol packages of the type having a valve actuator for dispensing thecontents of the package. The device is comprised of a frame formed forattachment to an aerosol package. Independent motive power means aresupported on the frame. Valve actuating means are operatively connectedto the power means and extend from the frame in proximal relationship tothe valve on the aerosol package. Finally, a timer mechanism isinterconnected with the power means and actuating means to regulateactuation of the valve actuator at predetermined intervals.

It has particularly been noted that an actuating device 7 having amainspring contained in the body member as the independent motive powermeans and winding means connected therewith has proven adequate toprovide a sufficient force at the actuating means todisplace the valveactuator intermittently during extended periods of time. Nevertheless,by independent motive power means in the application it is intended toinclude any power means which can be mounted on the body member and isnot dependent on an external power source, such as batteries.

It is readily apparent that the actuating device of the invention isvery economical to manufacture and is simple and lightweight inconstruction so as to lend itself to attachment to aerosol packages andnevertheless is able to accurately dispense fluids at the predeterminedtime intervals. I

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described hereinbelow withreference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation partly in section and partly broken away of adispensing device;

FIG. 2 is a section taken substantially along the lines 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken substantially along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section taken substantially along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of actuating means for dispensingfluid from a vertical actuating valve; and

FIG. 6 is an elevation partly in section and partly broken away of asecond embodiment of the invention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a standard aerosol package 10 having avalve stem 11 extending outwardly there from at its upper end is shownwith an actuating device 12 attached thereto. The actuating device 12consists of a frame 13 which is substantially cylindrical in shape andis constructed such that its lower circumferential edge portion 14sits'tightly in a recess 15 which is substantially defined by thecrimped attachment of a cup 16 onto the body of the package 10.

The frame 13 has a substantially closed top portion 18 and an upperplate 19, an intermediate plate 20, and a lower plate 21, allhorizontally positioned within the housing and vertically spaced fromeach other. The horizontal plates 19, 20 and 21 are properly positionedwithin the frame 13 by means of vertical supporting members 22 and 23which are shown broken away in the drawing. The vertical supportingmembers 22 and 23 are comprised essentially of a longitudinallyextending rod 24 which is secured to the top portion 18 of the frame 13and to the lower horizontal support 21. The rod extends through each ofthe upper and intermediate plates 19 and 2th and has a cylindricalsleeve 25 positioned about the rod 24'. A separate cylindrical sleeve 25would be arranged about the rod 24 between the top portion 18 of theframe 13 and each of the horizontal supports 19, 20 and 21. Thus in thisembodiment three such sleeves 25 would be mounted in each rod 24,thereby maintaining the plates properly spaced from each other.

A cup-shaped winding member 27 of slightly larger diameter than theframe 13 substantially encompasses the upper portion of the frame' Thewinding member 27 is securely attached to an arbor 23' on which amainspring 29 is mounted. The outer end 30 of the mainspring 29 isattached to the vertical support 23 and the inner winding of the springis attached to the arbor 28 to maintain proper tension therein. Attachedto the arbor 28' is a click spring 31 which has a pin 32 dependingtherefrom such that upon winding of the mainspring 29 the pin willbecome lodged within successive teeth in a rachet 33 which is positionedadjacent the click spring 31 and is held in fixed relationship relativeto the click spring 31. The pin 32 isactually the end of a curved springwhich is mounted in the click spring 31 and serves to maintain the pin32 under tension so that it will always be urged into engagewith withone of the teeth in the rachet. The click spring 31 is securely mountedto the arbor 28 and is adapted to rotate therewith during its Winding aswell .from through the upper horizontal plate 19 and through :3 theintermediate plate 26 and terminating a distance below the'intermediateplate 26 is a main drive shaft 35. Securely mounted to the main shaft 35between the upper and intermediate plates 19 and 20 is a spacer 36 andmain wheel 37. The main wheel 37 serves to drive the timer mechanismor'timer train which in this embodiment is disposed entirely between theupper plate 19 and the intermediate plate 20. The main wheel 37 drives afirst pinion 38 and second wheel 39 which are rotatably mounted on ashaft 40 which is pivotably mounted between the upper plate19 and theintermediate plate 20. The second wheel 39 in turn drives a secondpinion 41 and third wheel 42.

which are similarly mounted on a shaft 43 which is also pivotablymounted between upper and intermediate plates 19 and 20. The third wheel42 drives a third pinion 44 and fourth wheel 45 which are rotatablymounted on shaft 46 which is similarly pivotably mounted between upperand intermediate plates 19 and 20. The fourh wheel 45 has .pins 52 and53 positioned substantially concentric about the shaft 50 and arrangedsuch that the teeth of the escapement alternately strike each of thepins 52 and 53 and thereby momentarily stopping the escapement wheel 48and causing the pallet 52 to oscillate on the shaft 50. Thisarrangement, asis well known, serves to ease the distribution of powerby slowing down the gear train. A groove 55 is formed on the oppositeend of the lever pallet 51 such that it contacts a pin 56 which extendsfrom a pivotal shaft 58 and pivots in supports 59 and 60 which a balancewheel 57. The balance wheel 57 is mounted on are mounted in the upperand intermediate horizontal supports 19 and 20 respectively. Alsomounted on the pivotable shaft 58 and spaced from the balance wheel 57is a hair spring 61. Theouter end of the hair spring 61 is secured to astud support 62. The balance wheel and hair spring arrangement serve asregulating organs which maintain the timer mechanism at its proper beatwith a constant distribution of power. As the pallet lever 51reciprocates it imparts reciprocal motion'to the balance wheel- 57 sincethe groove 55 in the pallet serves to momentarily catch and displace thepin 56 extending from the balance wheel. This arrangement in combinationwith the hair' spring 61 regulates the interval in which the escapementwheel 48 is stopped, thereby regulating the beat of the mechanism.

. 57, the mechanism can be stopped.

Mounted at the end portion of the main drive shaft 35 "which extendsbelow the intermediate support 20 is an internal spur gear 70. Theinternal spur gear 70 rotates with the drive wheel 37 and thus isdirectly driven by the barrel'spring 29 so that the torque developed bythe spring is always applied to the internal spur gear. The spur gear 70shown in this embodiment is designed to make one revolution every fourhours. The spur 'gear 70 drives a one hour gear 71 which is rotatable onthe shaft 72 and which in turn is mounted on the lower horizontalsupport 21. The one hour gear 71 drives a one-half hour gear 73 which issimilarly mounted on a shaft .74 and mounted in the lower horizontalsupport 21. As best shown in FIG. 4 also mounted on shaft 74 and spacedfrom the one-half hour gear 73 is a cam 75. The cam 75 has identical camactuating surfaces 76 and 77 which 4 extend in diametrically opposeddirections from the bottom of the cam 75. Thus by providing similar camsurfaces 76 and 77 in the position shown, the cam is constructed toactuate the aerosol package every fifteen minutes. Alternatively, thecam 75 can be constructed with cam surfaces similar to cam surfaces 76and 77, but formed to extend outwardly substantially 90 offset from eachother. Such a cam could be mounted on the one hour wheel 71 or the shaft72 and actuation of the package could nevertheless be achieved everyfifteen minutes. A special valve actuator 78 is mounted on the valvestem 11 which extends outwardly from the aerosol package 10. Theactuator consists of a base supporting cylindrical member 79 which isadapted to fit snugly around a ring portion 80 of the cup 16 on theaerosol package 10. Inserted overthe valve stem 11 is a nozzle portion81 of the actuator 78 which is joined to the cylindrical member Stiby.supporting members 82. The nozzle portion 81' has an orifice 83 formedtherein to regulate the spray of In this embodiment the valve stem 11formed in the aerosol package 10 is connected to a valve of the typeadapted to be actuated by horizontal displacement. Thus as the cam 75 isrotated the cam surfaces 76 and 77 alternately contact the cam follower8S" momentarily, and displace the nozzle portion 81 of the actuator7 8in a horizontal direction. The cam surfaces 76 and 77 are so formed inrelation to the cam follower 85 that this displacement in a horizontaldirection is' of a sufficient extent to actuate the valve 11 therebycausing the fluid within the package .10 to be dispensedfor a very shortincrement of time.

In operation the cup-shaped member 27 is simply grasped by hand androtated thereby winding the main'-' spring 29. The pin 32 becomes lodgedin one of the ratchet teeth 33 thereby maintaining the barrel in itsabove could also be adapted to actuate aerosol packages having-verticalactuated valves contained therein. Referring now to FIG. 5 onearrangement has'been set forth in which this is accomplished. A spurgear 87 is attached to the end of the maindrive shaft 35. The

.spur gear serves to rotate a pinion gear 88 which is' mounted on avertical shaft 89 which is pivotably mounted between the intermediatesupport 20 and the lower support 21 Also mounted on the shaft 89 andspaced from the pinion; 88 is a bevel drive gear 90. The bevel drivegear 90 serves-to rotate a bevel pinion gear 91 which is'securelymounted on a shaft 92 which is suspended over: the nozzle portion 81 ofthe actuator .78. By means of journals 93 and 94 which are mounted onthe lower horizontal support 21 a cam 94 is secured to the shaft 92overlying the nozzle portion 81. The cam 94 has two cam actuatingsurfaces 95 and 96 which are in diametrically opposed positions. Thus bycontinuous'rotation of-the cam- 94 substantially in the plane in which,saidvalve actuator is displaceable the valve 11 which in this case isvertically A enemas actuated will be depressed each time one of the camsurfaces 95 and 96 contacts and displaces the nozzle portion 81 of theadapter 79. f

Referring now to FIG. 6 the second embodiment of an intermittentactuating device of'a different drive arrangement is shown.The'actuatingdevice shown in FIG. 6 is substantially similar to thatshown in FIG. 1 containing a more simplified drive mechanism. Here aclick spring and rachet mechanism 90 is shown in an inverted position tothat shown in FIG. 1. Spaced below the spring and rachet mechanism 90preferably rotatable with the spring and rachet mechanism, whichfunctions in a similar manner as that described in the first embodimentis a spur gear 91. The spur'gea'r 91 drives a pinion 92' whichisrotatably mounted ona main drive shaft 93. The drive shaft 93 ispivotably mounted between the upper portion 18 of the housing and thelower horizontal plate 21. Also securely mounted on the shaft 93 androtatable therewith is a second drive pinion 94. The drive pinion 94drives a wheel 95 which is one of several wheels comprising the timertrain. The wheel 95 is equivalent to wheel 39 in the timer train asshown and described in FIG. 1. The remainder of a timer train, which isonly partially shown in FIG. 6, is the same as that shown and describedwith respect to FIG. 1. A third drive gear 96 is securely mounted onshaft 93 and spaced from the drive pinion 94. The drive gear 96 servesas the hour wheel in the mechanism. The hour wheel 96 drives a one-halfhour wheel 97 which is securely mounted on shaft 98 which is pivotablymounted between the intermediate plate 20 and the lower plate 21.Securely mounted on the shaft 98 and rotatable therewith is a cam 99.The cam 99 can have substantially the configuration of the cam shown inFIG. 4, or any other suitable configuration could be formed providedonly that the cam be adapted to at least intermittently contact a camfollower 100, which is shown mounted on the nozzle or valve stem 101.

In operation the spring 29 is wound by the selective winding member 27and is maintained in its wound position by the spring and rachetmechanism 90. The mainspring 29 provides sufficient force to drive thegear 91 which in turn drives the drive shaft 93 in its meshedrelationship with pinion 92. The main drive shaft 93 is thus rotated andthis rotation is regulated by the timer train as the drive shaft 93 isin meshed relationship with the pinion 94 and the wheel 95. Thisregulated motion is transferred to the cam 99 through the gear reductionof the one-half hour gear 97 and the hour gear 96. Hence, by designing acam 99 such that it intermittently contacts the valve actuator 100 thecontents of the aerosol package can be dispensed at predetermined timeintervals.

Although the cams described have been ones in which the cam followermounted on the valve is displaced against the resilient force of thespring loaded valve in order to dispense fluid therefrom, it is alsointended that cam and valve actuator could be designed to cooperate witha valve which is held under tension in its closed position duringcontact of the cam valve actuator and is actuated to dispense fluid whensaid cam and valve actuator are out of engagement with each other.

Further, although each of the embodiments shown describes a final gearreduction by means of one hour and one-half hour gears so as to cause adipslacement every fifteen minutes, it is of course possible to increaseor decrease the actuation time by varying the gear sizes, as well as byemploying differently shaped cams.

I claim:

1. In an aerosol package of the type having a valve actuator fordispensing the contents of the package, the improvement of anintermittent actuating device which comprises:

(a) a frame formed for attachment to said package,

(b) independent motive power means supported on said frame,

(c) a main drive member operatively connected to said motive powermeans,

(d) cam means positively connected to said main drive member and mountedfor continuous movement thereby, said cam means extending from saidframe in proximal relationship with said valve actuator, and

(e) a timer mechanism connected to said drive member to regulate thepower means and the speed of movement of said cam means to bring saidcam means in positive contact with said valve actuator at predeterminedintervals.

2. In an aerosol package of the type having a valve actuator fordispensing the contents of the package, the improvement ofanintermittent actuating device which comprises:

(a) a frame formed for attachment to said package,

(b) a mainspring supported on said frame,

(c) selective winding means associated with said mainspring,

(d) a main drive member operative connected to said mainspring,

(e) cam means positively connected to said main drive member and mountedfor continuous movement thereby, said cam means extending from saidframe in proximal relationship with said valve actuator, and

(f) a timer mechanism connected to said drive member to regulate theunwinding of said mainspring and the speed of movement of said cam meansto drive said cam means in contact with said valve actuator foractuation thereof at predetermined intervals.

3. In an aerosol package of the type having a valve actuator fordispensing the contents of the package, the improvement of anintermittent actuating device which comprises:

(a) a frame formed for attachment to said package,

(b) a mainspring supported on said frame, I

(0) selective winding means associated with said mainp gs (d) a maindrive member driven by said mainspring,

(e) a timer train connected to said drive member,

(f) at least one secondary drive member connected to said main drivemember, and

(g) a cam positively connected to said secondary drive member andmounted for continuous movement thereby, said cam extending from saidframe in proximal relationship with said valve actuator such that itcontacts said valve actuator at least intermittently for actuationthereof.

4. In an aerosol package of the type having a valve actuator fordispensing the contents of the package which is displaceable in asubstantially horizontally plane when said package is in an uprightposition, the improvement of an intermittent actuating device whichcomprises:

. (a) a frame formed for attachment to said package,

(b) a mainspring supported on said frame,

(0) selective winding means associated with said mainspring,

(d) a main drive member driven by said mainspring,

(e) a timer train connected to said drive member,

(1) at least one secondary drive member connected to said main drivemember, and

(g) a cam positively connected to said secondary drive member andmounted for continuous movement thereby, sa-id cam extending from saidframe in proximal relationship with said valve actuator and rotatablymounted substantially in said plane of displacement of said actuator andhaving a die surface formed to contact and displace said actuatorintermittently.

5. In an aerosol package of the type having a valve actuator fordispensing the contents of the package which is displaceable in asubstantially vertical plane when said package is in an uprightposition, the improvement of an intermittent actuating devicewhichicomprises:

v(a) aframe formed for'attachment to said package,

(b) a mainspring supported on said frame, (c) selective Winding meansassociated With-said mainspring, (d) a main drive member driven by saidmainspring, (e) a timer train connected to said drive member, (1'') atleast one secondary drive member connected to said main drive member,and (g) a cam positively connected to said secondary drive member andmounted for continuous movement thereby, said cam extending from saidframe in proximal relationship with said valve actuator, and

' placement of said actuator and having a die surface formed to contactand'displace said actuator intermittently. 7

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Montgomery 222-70LOUIS I. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

rotatably mounted substantially in said plane of dis- 1'5 LAVERNE D.GEIGER,'IExaminer.

1. IN AN AEROSOL PACKAGE OF THE TYPE HAVING A VALVE ACTUATOR FORDISPENSING THE CONTENTS OF THE PACKAGE, THE IMPROVEMENT OF ANINTERMITTENT ACTUATING DEVICE WHICH COMPRISES: (A) A FRAME FORMED FORATTACHMENT TO SAID PACKAGE, (B) INDEPENDENT MOTIVE POWER MEANS SUPPORTEDON SAID FRAME, (C) A MAIN DRIVE MEMBER OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAIDMOTIVE POWER MEANS, (D) CAM MEANS POSITIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID MAINDRIVE MEMBER AND MOUNTED FOR CONTINUOUS MOVEMENT THEREBY, SAID CAM MEANSEXTENDING FROM SAID FRAME IN PROXIMAL RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID VALVEACTUATOR, AND (E) A TIMER MECHANISM CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVE MEMBER TOREGULATE THE POWER MEANS AND THE SPEED OF MOVEMENT OF SAID CAM MEANS TOBRING SAID CAM MEANS IN POSITIVE CONTACT WITH SAID VALVE ACTUATOR ATPREDETERMINED INTERVALS.